For Children

By Dulcie Leimbach

Published: April 19, 1991

Nearly every day is Earth Day at the only city-owned recycling center in New York, which is open six days a week. The Department of Sanitation plant, in operation since 1988, recycles metal, plastic and glass containers. Children who are tall enough to look through some indoor viewing windows, which are three and a half feet from the ground, will be able to see just what the plant does with some of its garbage. The tour is mostly confined to this viewing area; children may see glass being separated by color and then dropped into a crusher. "It's not sharp once it's crushed," said Pablo Lacayo, the contract manager for the plant. "You can scoop it up with your hand."

Children can watch the way tin cans are separated and then tossed onto a conveyer belt, which goes to an area where the cans are flattened. Tourgoers are shown the products of recycled materials, too, including plastic ice scrapers, plastic barricades and a chunk of the so-called glassphalt. Children may also see the tipping floor, where materials collected from New York City are dumped. Reservations are necessary for the tour, given 10:30 A.M. to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays and by appointment on other days. The plant is closed on Sundays. The tour is about a half-hour, and there is a lot of time for questions. The Nos. 4, 5 or 6 trains, stopping at 125th Street, are within walking distance of the plant. There are no parking lots at the plant, but spaces on the street are usually available. Spider-Man South Street Seaport Pier 17, Level 2 Manhattan Recommended ages: 4 and up Today

Spider-Man, in his blue-and-red uniform, will swing from his lair in SoHo to the South Street Seaport from 12:30 to 2:30 P.M. today, accompanied by his creator, Stan Lee. Mr. Lee plans to do most of the talking, primarily about his 40 years of masterminding for Marvel Comics, including inventing the Incredible Hulk and the X-Men. So, if your children have been admiring Spider-Man from afar, this will be a chance to see him up close, webs and all. Admission is free. An artist will offer free sketches of young fans and of Spider-Man. Comic books will be given away, too. Lolli-Pops Concert Gould Hall 55 East 59th Street Manhattan (212) 704-2100 Recommended ages: 3 to 5 Tomorrow and Sunday

For the last 42 years, young New Yorkers have grown up attending the Little Orchestra Society's Saturday morning Happy Concerts for Young People series. Since 1988, the company's Lolli-Pops concerts have been enticing children into their suits and smocked dresses on the weekends. The hourlong performances tomorrow and on Sunday are based on the theme of a musical toy store. The buoyant music includes pieces by Prokofiev, Bizet and Bartok, along with Haydn's "Toy" Symphony. With the orchestra onstage are the helpers Bow the Panda, Toot the Bird, Buzz the Bee and Bang the Lion, people who represent the different sections of an orchestra and who make the children laugh. The maestro Dino Anagnost wears a colorful braided conductor's jacket, and children are given something to take home, either a sweet or a toy. The programs are at 10:15 and 11:30 A.M. tomorrow and at 1:15 and 2:30 P.M. on Sunday. Tickets are $30 for children and adults. Souvenirs are sold in the lobby after the concerts. 'Spring Works 1991' New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th Street Corona, Queens (718) 699-0005 Recommended ages: 2 and up Through April 28

On the upper level, within this museum's wavy cobalt-blue stained-glass walls, the quirky work of artists from different countries who use technology is on display. The sculptures are interactive, allowing viewers to be the artists. "Liquid Percussion," by Trimpin, a German-born sculptor, is an interactive construction of water valves and almost 100 objects, including handblown colored glass, aluminum pie plates and cow bells, with which music is made. Viewers release "rainfall" by pressing either the computer-controlled switch or the musical-looking keyboard. The atonal results may not merit a recording contract, but at least a child will momentarily feel like a musical genius. "Art Research Corona," by Peter Sedgley, who was born in England, is a kinetic light environment in the domed stellarium. Viewers aim beams of colored light that fill the room with a glow that seems like the inner sanctum of a rainbow. Alejandro and Moira Sina use moving neon lights that resemble fireflies or magic wands. In "Wallpiece XXXVU," by George Rhoads, stainless-steel balls are catapulted through a convoluted maze of chiming tracks. The mezzanine level of this thoroughly engaging circular museum is home to "Seeing the Light," an exhibition that explores color, optics and light through hands-on displays. The daily dissection of cow eyes shows how the eye functions, while the "Colored Shadows" display makes waving arms resemble an eagle's wings. On the lower level is an exhibition about microbes, which uses high-technology video microscopes and computer modules. The museum's staff members are on hand to answer questions. Planted in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, the building hails back to the 1964 World's Fair. The No. 7 train stops about eight blocks from the museum, at the 111th Street elevated station, which has many stairs. Parking is available at $4 a day. The museum, which asks $3.50 from adults and $2.50 for ages 3 to 18, is open 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Wednesday through Sunday. Strollers must be checked, but backpacks for carrying children are available free. The museum has a snack bar. Youth Running and Fitness Program: Track and Field Asphalt Green 555 East 90th Street Manhattan (212) 737-7480 Recommended ages: 5 to 12 Sundays, through June 9